VATICAN CITY, 18 JUN 2010 (VIS REPORT) - On 16 June Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States, attended the opening of the tenth Cuban Catholic Social Week, during which he delivered a speech entitled: "Certain considerations concerning the secularism of the State".
"Although the term 'secularism', both in the past and in the present, refers first and foremost to the reality of the State and not infrequently assumes forms that run counter to the Church and Christianity", the archbishop noted, "it would not exist at all were it not for Christianity".
"In fact, without the Gospel of Christ the history of humankind would not have known the fundamental distinction between what man owes to God and what he owes to Caesar; in other words, to civil society. ... The word 'secularism' itself ... has its origins in the ecclesiastical sphere. ... A lay person is ... one who is not of the clergy. ... This is the original, completely intra-ecclesial, definition of the word", he said.
In the Middle Ages, the archbishop went on, "sovereigns who sought to avoid being subject to the Pope did not for this reason consider themselves as being outside the Church. At most they wanted to play a role in controlling and organising the Church, but they had no desire to separate themselves from her or exclude her from society. It was with the Enlightenment, and in a particularly dramatic way during the French revolution, that the term 'secularism' came to designate quite the opposite: complete alterity, a net opposition between civil life, and religious and ecclesial life".
"Although secularism today is not infrequently invoked and used to hinder the life and activity of the Church", said the secretary for Relations with States, "in its profound and positive sense it would never even have existed without Christianity. The same is true for other values which today are considered as typical of modernity and often invoked to criticise the Church, or religion in general, such as respect for the dignity of the person, the right to freedom, equality, etc. These are to a large extent the fruit of the profound influence of the Gospel in various cultures, though later they were separated and even set in conflict with their Christian origins".
"Much State legislation", he observed, "affirms that secularism is a fundamental principle; above all, as concerns the State's relationship with the religious dimension of man. ... In this context we cannot overlook the fact that, in the name of this concept, decisions are sometimes taken and norms published with objectively affect the individual and collective practice of the fundamental right to religious freedom".
"If secularism is not made logically and ontologically subordinate to full respect for religious freedom this can represent a real threat to that freedom. ... In such a case the State, paradoxically, becomes a confessional state, no longer truly secular, because it would make secularism a supreme value, a dominant ideology, a kind of religion with its own civil rites and liturgies".
"The full concept of the right to religious freedom must be reaffirmed. Because respecting this right does not just mean avoiding coercion and allowing personal and interior adherence to the faith. Although respect for the individual act of faith is fundamental, the State's stance towards the religious dimension does not end there, because this dimension ... must find expression in the world and be lived, not only individually but also in the community".
Referring finally to the mission of lay people themselves, Archbishop Mamberti highlighted how "the role of the Magisterium is different from that of the laity, for while pastors of the Church must illuminate minds with their teaching, 'the direct duty to work for a just ordering of society', as Benedict XVI says in his Encyclical on charity, 'is proper to the lay faithful', who achieve this by 'co-operating with other citizens'"
SS/ VIS 20100618 (660)

AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, 18 JUN 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:
- Cardinal Ivan Dias, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.
- Hans-Henning Horstmann, ambassador of Germany, accompanied by his wife, on a farewell visit.
- Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
AP/ VIS 20100618 (60)

IN MEMORIAM
VATICAN CITY, 18 JUN 2010 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:
- Bishop Epaminondas Jose de Araujo, emeritus of Palmeira dos Indios, Brazil, on 9 June at the age of 88.
- Bishop Joseph Crescent McKinney, former auxiliary of Grand Rapids, U.S.A., on 9 June at the age of 81.
- Bishop Luigi Padovese O.F.M. Cap., apostolic vicar of Anatolia, Turkey, on 3 June at the age of 63.
- Archbishop Ismael Blas Rolon Silvero S.D.B., emeritus of Asuncion, Paraguay, on 8 June at the age of 96.
- Archbishop Basil Myron Schott O.F.M. of Pittsburgh of the Byzantines, U.S.A., on 10 June at the age of 70.
- Bishop Jaroslav Skarvada, former auxiliary of Prague, Czech Republic, on 14 June at the age of 85.

ASIANORTH KOREA: RELIGIOUS LEADERS ASK FOR AID FOR STARVING POOR

UCAN report: South Korean religious leaders are urging their government to allow humanitarian aid to reach starving people in the North.

North Koreans are starving to death through economic hardship and food shortage, said 507 religious leaders in a statement released during a press conference in Seoul on June 17.

“We need to reach out to North Koreans by giving humanitarian aid urgently. It will help to bring about reconciliation and a peaceful reunification of the two Koreas,” said the Buddhist, Catholic, Cheondo-gyo, Protestant and Won Buddhist leaders.
Cheondo-gyo and Won Buddhism are religions founded in Korea.Pictured religious leaders petitioning government
The religious leaders, members of the Religious Solidarity for Reconciliation and Peace of Korea, urged their government to suspend its policy of non-cooperation and withholding food aid to the North.
Since Lee Myung-bak became South Korean president in 2008, his government has forbidden civil groups, including religious institutions, from sending food to the North.
All forms of exchange stopped after the South Korean government blamed the North for sinking the Cheonan warship on March 26.
In return, North Korea has threatened war with South Korea.
The religious leaders called for a summit between the leaders of both nations to break the current impasse.
“The leaders need to … discuss further measures for peace on the peninsular including humanitarian aid,” they said.
Meanwhile, the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) held a prayer meeting in Seoul on June 17 in which they issued the declaration of South Korean Churches for the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula.http://www.ucanews.com/2010/06/18/faith-leaders-urge-aid-for-north-korea

AMERICAUSA: BISHOPS ENCOURAGE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR OIL SPILL VICTIMS

USCCB report: Apostleship Of The Sea Sets Up Network, Urges Catholics To Assist Those Harmed By Oil Spill

WASHINGTON—The overseer of the maritime ministry of the U.S. bishops expressed solidarity with those impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and announced the creation of a network to help with the human and environmental harm caused by the disaster. In a video at www.youtube.com/user/usccb#p/p/96DDE9247B03585A/0/cO63wxFuVM0 , Bishop J. Kevin Boland of Savannah, Georgia, bishop promoter of the Apostleship of the Sea, urged Catholics to assist the work already being done by the Church to address this disaster. He said the Apostleship of the Sea is setting up a network of diocesan relief efforts along the Gulf Coast and cited the work of Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese and New Orleans (http://www.ccano.org/ ) as one avenue for getting involved.
Bishop Boland also offered prayers for the victims of the oil rig explosion and their families and for the fishermen and others whose livelihoods are threatened by the environmental damage to the Gulf. He also urged Catholic to pray for the success of efforts to stop the spill and clean up the Gulf.
“It is God’s creation,” Bishop Boland said of the environment. “He has given it to us to take care of it. We must do all that we can, both as individuals and as a Church and as a community to restore to its proper dimensions and its proper beauty what God has given to us.”
The Apostleship of the Sea provides spiritual care to seafarers and all who rely on the sea for their livelihood. For more information on the Apostleship of the Sea and its relief efforts in the Gulf, visit: www.usccb.org/pcmrt/onmove/aos.shtmlhttp://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-120.shtml

EUROPEIRELAND: BISHOPS RELEASE REPORT FOR GENERAL MEETING

Press Release for the Summer General Meeting of the Irish Bishops' Conference

At the conclusion of the Summer 2010 General Meeting of the Irish Bishops’ Conference this evening, the following statement details:
Protection and support for marriage and family
Pope Benedict XVI’s Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland (i) Spiritual guidance and initiatives (ii) Safeguarding of Children (iii) Apostolic Visitation in Ireland
Year for Priests
Approval of the Third Edition of The Roman Missal
Eucharistic Congress in Ireland in 2012
Day for Life to be celebrated on 3 October 2010
Protection and support for marriage and family

Bishops discussed the statement Why Marriage Matters which was published by the Bishops’ Conference in March in the context of the Civil Partnership Bill which has just completed its Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann. Why Marriage Matters is available in print format and has been distributed in parishes. It is also available to download from the Bishops’ website www.catholicbishops.ie.
Bishops appealed to Oireachtas members to consider Why Marriage Matters as they discuss this Bill and in particular to consider in conscience the following excerpt from it before voting on the Bill:
“Oireachtas Eireann is about to pass legislation that seeks to give same-sex relationships a standing which will be as similar as possible to marriage. The Civil Partnership Bill will not permit adoption by same-sex couples. In most other respects, including tax and social welfare purposes, same-sex civil partnerships will be regarded as being equal to marriage.
“This is not compatible with seeing the family based on marriage as the necessary basis of the social order and as indispensable to the welfare of the Nation and State. Nor does it ‘guard with special care the institution of Marriage, on which the Family is founded.’” (Art. 41.3.1, Bunreacht na hÉireann)
Bishops called on Oireachtas members to allow for greater recognition of the proper autonomy of Churches and the right to social and civil freedom in religious matters. This includes the right of individuals to the free exercise of conscience in accordance with the objective moral order and the teaching of the Gospel. The current Bill, by exposing Civil Registrars to a fine and/or imprisonment should they act in accordance with their conscience on the matter of same-sex unions, undermines this cherished principle of a free and diverse society and imposes unjust limits on the ‘freedom of conscience and free expression and practice of religion’ guaranteed to every citizen in Article 44.2.1 of Bunreacht Na hÉireann. Bishops therefore appeal to Government to introduce amendments to the Bill to accommodate freedom of religious conscience on this vital matter. Bishops also ask Government to support a free vote for all members of Dáil Éireann and the Seanad on this Bill as it passes through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Response to Pope Benedict XVI’s Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland
(i) Spiritual guidance and initiatives
Bishops discussed Pope Benedict XVI’s Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland which was published on 20 March paying particular attention to the spiritual guidance and initiatives which were outlined in it. Bishops acknowledged the ongoing reflection and dialogue which is taking place in parishes around the country with people coming together to pray, take part in Eucharistic Adoration and to discuss this important Pastoral Letter and the issues arising from it.
The discussion on Pope Benedict's Pastoral Letter included emphasis on renewal of faith and of the Church. This requires placing special emphasis on the role of lay faithful, who are encouraged to offer an articulate and convincing account of the Gospel in the midst of modern society and to cooperate in the Church’s life and mission. It was agreed that particular attention ought to be given to establishing and developing parish pastoral councils, finance committees, and other bodies which enable greater participation of the lay faithful in the service and mission of the Church.
Bishops decided to establish a preliminary task group to explore the potential for a multi-disciplinary analysis of the Irish context to bring new or additional insight to research already conducted or underway.
Bishops also agreed to produce materials and develop initiatives around renewing prayers and fasting specifically for the intentions set out in the Pastoral Letter and for a set period of time to be determined by the Episcopal Conference e.g. from Advent 2010 to Advent 2011. Bishops are grateful for the many ideas and responses received from around the country and will return to this issue at their Autumn General Meeting in October.
(ii) Safeguarding of Children - review of the management of current cases
The Chairman, Mr John Morgan and Chief Executive, Mr Ian Elliott, National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church, addressed the Bishops’ Conference regarding the preparations for the review of the management of current cases of abuse in dioceses.
The prime task of the Child Safeguarding Diocesan Reviews is to look at current risks and their management with a view to informing current and future practice.
The review process will include the dioceses in four phases and thereafter it will cover religious congregations. The National Board has been in contact with the statutory authorities, North and South, concerning its preparations and the Board is satisfied that the authorities accept the validity of its approach to the Child Safeguarding Diocesan Reviews.
The National Board has established a Reference Group to oversee this review. The Reference Group will be chaired by Dr Helen Buckley, Trinity College, Dublin. The review process will involve a number of experienced professionals whose skills include comprehensive knowledge of child safeguarding legislation and administration.
(iii) Apostolic Visitation in Ireland
Bishops’ welcomed the announcement on 31 May that the Holy See intends to offer assistance to bishops, clergy, religious and lay faithful in our response to the situation caused by the appalling and criminal cases of abuse perpetrated by some priests and religious upon minors.
Bishops look forward to finding out details regarding the Apostolic Visitation in Ireland. An important objective of Apostolic Visitation will be to contribute to spiritual renewal of the Church in Ireland.
Year for Priests
Bishops reviewed the Year for Priests which was inaugurated by Pope Benedict XVI in June 2009 and which concluded last weekend in Rome with the celebration of Mass in St Peter’s Square.
Bishops welcomed developments in dioceses during the Year for Priests such as working groups to look at ongoing formation, penitential pilgrimages for priests and various other meetings held on the theme of priesthood.
Bishops reflected on the supportive words of Pope Benedict during his homily at the closing Mass for the Year for Priests on Friday: “The priest is not a mere office-holder. ... Rather, he does something which no human being can do of his own power: in Christ's name he speaks the words which absolve us of our sins and in this way he changes, starting with God, our entire life. Over the offerings of bread and wine he speaks Christ's words of thanksgiving, ... which open the world to God and unite it to Him. The priesthood, then, is not simply 'office' but Sacrament.”
A special feature is still available on the Year for Priests on the Bishops’ Conference website http://www.catholicbishops.ie/ which includes video and text highlights of the year and some recent video footage of the closing events in Rome.
Approval of the Third Edition of The Roman Missal
Bishops welcomed the recent completion of the translation of the Third Edition of The Roman Missal and its approval by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Bishops look forward to its final editing and its use at Masses in Ireland towards the end of 2011.
Bishops will engage in diocesan and parish programmes to help our congregations to understand and appreciate the new translation of the Mass so that the changes will serve, in the words of the Holy Father, “as a spring board for a renewal and deepening of Eucharistic devotion all over the English speaking world”.
Background
A new edition of the Latin Missal was issued in 2002 and this new translation will replace the current Missal we have used since 1975. Since 1975 there have been many additions to the Missal. New feasts have been added to the Liturgical Calendar, new Eucharistic Prayers were issued and a new Calendar with many new prayers has been approved for Ireland. All of these will be included in the new edition under preparation.
Over the past six years the bishops have been receiving the new translation in segments from the International Commission on English in the Liturgy, a commission representing eleven Bishops’ Conferences in the English-speaking world. The most obvious difference will be the changes in translation since this has been done according to norms for translation issued in 2001. These norms call for a fuller faithful translation of the Latin, capturing the biblical resonances of our prayers more clearly and the rich words and phrases of the prayers, many more than 1200 years old.
Eucharistic Congress in Ireland in 2012
The Feast of Corpus Christi saw the launch of a pastoral programme to assist people in the journey of preparation ahead of the next Eucharistic Congress which takes place in Ireland in June 2012. The second national collection to support the preparation and hosting of the Congress took place at Masses throughout Ireland's 26 dioceses on 6 June.
In September volunteers will be invited to support the preparation of the Congress. Suitable candidates will be invited to participate in a programme of spiritual and practical preparation. A competition is being held to compose a these hymn for the Congress. Leading Irish composers of sacred music in various traditions have been invited to submit entries by early September.
Bishops expressed their gratitude to all who contributed generously to the collection on 6 June and to those who have already given so much time and energy to the preparatory work for the Congress. See www.iec2012.ie/E-Congress/index.html to download pastoral resources in the Irish and English languages.
‘Day for Life’ to be celebrated on 3 October 2010 in Ireland
The Catholic Church in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales celebrates our ‘Day for Life’ this year with the common theme of “The meaning of Christian death and care for those who are dying”.
Life is a gift we hold from God, who not only gives life but redeems it. Death does not break the bonds of love. No matter how short it may be, or whatever its condition, every life has a purpose and contains a grace. The Christian life is not specifically protected from illness, pain or death, yet we know that even in these experiences we can find God and be a witness to Him, our Lord in life and in death (Phil 1:21).
The full text of the pastoral letter for this year’s ‘Day for Life’, which addresses the meaning of Christian death and care for the dying, will be published on 3 October next.
Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 086 172 7678
Brenda Drumm, Communications Officer, 087 310 4444http://www.catholicbishops.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1663:16-june-2010&catid=17:news

AFRICAUGANDA: PRESIDENT CALLS FOR NATIONAL PRAYER DAY FOR GOD´S BLESSINGS

New Vision report: WITH so much sin taking place in the country, the President has declared Sunday, June 20, a national day of prayer and repentance.

The President said in a statement that while God has blessed the country with peace, security, democracy and economic growth, Ugandans are indulging in immoral acts that might lead to God’s furry. He cited corruption, sexual perversion, human sacrifice and witchcraft as some of the immoral acts rampant these days.
"These and other acts, which have been or are being committed, have not pleased God. We risk losing out on God’s blessings for this nation if we choose to disobey Him,” President Yoweri Museveni warned.
The statement was read out to the press by the minister for the presidency, Beatrice Wabudeya, at the Uganda Media Centre yesterday. “This (prayer) is so that together we may thank God and seek his mercy and forgiveness for this great and chosen nation,” Museveni explained.
Wabudeya played down concerns that the call for prayer was admittance that the legal regime had failed to curb crime and the nation had turned to God’s mercy.
“Uganda is a God-fearing country and it’s in our Motto and National Anthem. For what we do and miss, God has a role. He also chooses leaders,”
Wabudeya explained. The minister said outrageous acts like defilement of two-year-olds and ritual murders were so alarming.
“When that happens, don’t you think someone has gone berserk? It’s not that we are desperate for a solution. We need that spiritual healing.”
Wabudeya observed that while in her youth, the Ten Commandments of God were followed and people feared to touch what was not theirs.These days, “people are stealing with impunity.”
Ethics and Integrity minister Dr James Nsaba Buturo rebuked journalists, who had expected a big political announcement from State House, for perception that a day of national prayer was not big-time news.
He pointed out that the founders of this country made a covenant with God, which is re-echoed every time the national anthem is sang and the motto is recited.

“If you believe there’s no God, that is your personal view. We want to go before our maker and say ‘God help, we deserve to be better, but we need your assistance,” Buturo implored.
He was supported by Wabudeya, who said in the dynamic life, one is liable to fall short before the glory of God.
"We are going to put aside our political differences and pray.”
The national day of prayer and repentance will be inter-denominational. It will not be an annual event.
According to Wabudeya, Parliament passed a resolution for national prayer days. These are on top of prayer breakfast held annually on October 8th, before the independence anniversary.
Below is the President's statement in full.
Fellow Ugandans, brothers a and sisters: For the last 24 years, Uganda has had stability and enjoyed a considerable period of prosperity. During this period, very critical and important achievements have been made or realised. They include; peace, security and rapid economic growth. Life expectancy has risen, literacy levels have risen, infant mortality has fallen, national revenue has risen a thousand-fold, road network and general infrastructure has greatly improved, investment climate has become favourable and there is democracy. We have also recorded impressive achievements in areas such as health and education. We thank god for all this. All this notwithstanding, there are a number of things that have gone against our expectation.
For example, some Ugandans have involved themselves in immoral acts such as idolatry, sexual perversion, human sacrifice, bribery, witchcraft, embezzlement, illicit enrichment and misuse of public funds.
These and other acts, which have been or are being committed, have not pleased God. We, therefore, run the risk of losing out on God’s blessings for this nation if we choose to disobey Him. On the other hand, we stand to gain if we obey God. And as we read in Deuteronomy, 28:12:“The Lord will open to you his good treasury the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.”
Accordingly, I have declared that on Sunday June 20, 2010, at 9:00am at Kololo Independence Ground, we shall gather together for a special day of prayer and repentance. This is so that together we may thank God and seek his mercy and forgiveness for this great and chosen nation.
I now call upon Ugandans of all persuasions and all friends of Uganda living in this country and abroad to accept this invitation to come before God for prayer and repentance.
Ugandans who may not be able to come to Kololo may gather in convenient places within their locations for the same purpose on that day.
For God and my country. http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/723079AUSTRALIACEO´S SLEEPOUT RAISING $2 MILLION FOR HOMELESS

Cath News report: More than 680 CEOs across the country slept out in the cold last night for Vinnies' first national-level CEO Sleepout, to raise funds for the organisation's homelessness services.

The initiative, which was held in all mainland capitals, raised in excess of $2 million for homelessness, reports Sky News.
In Sydney, more than 180 CEOs bedded down under the bright lights of Luna Park, where the temperature was forecast to fall to 10C - or 5C on the water.
Prominent names seen trying to get comfortable on a layer of cardboard included the CEOs of McDonald's Australia, Citibank Australia, Hilton Worldwide, Mosaic Oil, DHL Express, Nudie Foods Australia, Thrifty Car Rental, Australian Associated Press and Fairfax Media.

The NSW Minister for State Planning Linda Burney was also seen dragging about a piece of cardboard and hugging a cup of warm soup.
Vinnies NSW CEO John Picot the money raised would go to Vinnies' homelessness services, including night patrol and soup van services, hostels, mental health services and education facilities.
"It will go to change lives, to give people a new start, and enable us to help them move out of homelessness," Mr Picot said.
Citibank Australia chief executive Roy Gori said his wife had encouraged him to get involved in helping the homeless.
"I was lucky enough to have an insight into what Vinnies does through my wife as she is a volunteer," Mr Gori, who was equipped with his son's sleeping bag, told AAP.
"Her stories are heartbreaking." http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=22009

TODAY´S SAINT

St. Elizabeth of Schoenau

BENEDICTINE ABBESS AND MYSTIC
Feast: June 18
Information: Feast Day: June 18
Born: 1129 at Germany
Died: 18 June 1165 at Bonn, Germany
Patron of: against temptations
Born about 1129; d. 18 June, 1165.-Feast 18 June. She was born of an obscure family, entered the double monastery of Schönau in Nassau at the age of twelve, received the Benedictine habit, made her profession in 1147, and in 1157 was superioress of the nuns under the Abbot Hildelin. After her death she was buried in the abbey church of St. Florin. When her writings were published the name of saint was added. She was never formally canonized, but in 1584 her name was entered in the Roman Martyrology and has remained there.
Given to works of piety from her youth, much afflicted with bodily and mental suffering, a zealous observer of the Rule of St. Benedict and of the regulation of her convent, and devoted to practices of mortification, Elizabeth was favoured, from 1152, with ecstasies and visions of various kinds. These generally occurred on Sundays and Holy Days at Mass or Divine Office or after hearing or reading the lives of saints. Christ, His Blessed Mother, an angel, or the special saint of the day would appear to her and instruct her; or she would see quite realistic representations of the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension, or other scenes of the Old and New Testaments. What she saw and heard she put down on wax tablets. Her abbot, Hildelin, told her to relate these things to her brother Egbert (Eckebert), then priest at the church of Bonn. At first she hesitated fearing lest she be deceived or be looked upon as a deceiver; but she obeyed. Egbert (who became a monk of Schönau in 1155 and succeeded Hildelin as second abbot) put everything in writing, later arranged the material at leisure, and then published all under his sister's name
Thus came into existence* three books of "Visions". Of these the first is written in language very simple and in unaffected style, so that it may easily pass as the work of Elizabeth. The other two are more elaborate and replete with theological terminology, so that they show more of the work of Egbert than of Elizabeth.
* "Liber viarum Dei". This seems to be an imitation of the "Scivias" (scire vias Domini) of St. Hildegarde of Bingen, her friend and correspondent. It contains admonitions to all classes of society, to the clergy and laity, to the married and unmarried. Here the influence of Egbert is very plain. She utters prophetic threats of judgment against priests who are unfaithful shepherds of the flock of Christ, against the avarice and worldliness of the monks who only wear the garb of poverty and self-denial, against the vices of the laity, and against bishops and superiors delinquent in their duty; she urges all to combat earnestly the heresy of the Cathari; she declares Victor IV, the antipope supported by Frederick against Alexander III, as the one chosen of God. All of this appears in Egbert's own writings
* The revelation on the martyrdom of St. Ursula and her companions. This is full of fantastic exaggerations and anachronisms, but has become the foundation of the subsequent Ursula legends.
There is a great diversity of opinion in regard to her revelations. The Church has never passed sentence upon them nor even examined them. Elizabeth herself was convinced of their supernatural character, as she states in a letter to Hildegarde; her brother held the same opinion; Trithemius considers them genuine; Eusebius Amort (De revelationibus visionibus et apparitionibus privatis regulae tutae, etc., Augsburg, 1744) holds them to be nothing more than what Elizabeth's own imagination could produce, or illusions of the devil, since in some things they disagree with history and with other revelations (Acta SS., Oct, IX, 81). A complete edition of her writings was made by F.W.E. Roth (Brunn, 1884); translations appeared in Italian (Venice, 1859), French (Tournai, 1864), and in Icelandic (1226-1254).http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/E/stelizabethofschoenau.asp

TODAY´S GOSPEL

Matthew 6: 19 - 23
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19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal,

20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light;

23 but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!